What I'm Reading Wednesday

My apologies for not posting the last couple of weeks. One good thing about that unexpected development, I spent a lot of time in waiting rooms so I have a book review to post this week.

This week's review is:

Two of a Kind by Susan Mallery

Blurb:  Felicia Swift never dreamed she'd hear a deep, sexy voice from her past in tiny Fool's Gold, California. The last time Gideon Boylan whispered in her ear was half a world away…on the morning after the hottest night of her life. Her freaky smarts have limited her close friendships, and romance, but she came to Fool's Gold looking for ordinary. Gorgeous, brooding Gideon is anything but that.

Black Ops taught Gideon that love could be deadly. Now he pretends to fit in while keeping everyone at arm's length. Felicia wants more than he can give—a home, family, love—but she has a lot to learn about men…and Gideon needs to be the man to teach her.

As these two misfits discover that passion isn't the only thing they have in common, they just might figure out that two of a kind should never be split apart.

Review: While this book is part of the Fool's Gold series, it can easily be enjoyed without having read any of the other books in the series. Odds are though that after reading this one, you'll want to go back and read all of the others.

I loved the character of Felicia. She is scary smart and was sent to live at a university at a very young age to both be studied, but also to learn. Because of her unconventional upbringing, she longs for a normal life and a normal family. Also because of her upbringing, she's socially awkward and wants to fit in. While I'm not scary smart, and I don't think socially awkward, I am very introverted and tend to be very reticent around people I'm unfamiliar with so I found myself identifying with her in certain situations. I also loved that she spoke exactly what she thought even if it sometimes created embarrassing situations for her.

Gideon Boylan is a great character and more than worthy of Felicia. A former Black Ops team member who suffered months of torture, Gideon feels the only reason he survived is because he didn't care for anyone back home. He feels broken not only because of what he endured but because he doesn't feel capable of forming loving relationships. The unexpected appearance of someone in his life and his relationship with Felicia proves otherwise.

This is a wonderful story about two people who believe they are too damaged to be "normal" but due to circumstances end up living together to provide a "normal" life and finding their HEA with each other. I just can't say enough about this heart-warming story.

Rating: 5 Stars